Centrifugal separator



Dec 3Q, 1947- F. J. MADELY CENTRFUGAL SEPARATOP.

Filed May 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l F. J. MADELY CENTRIFUGAL sEPARAToR Filed May 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y\\\\\\\\\\\ Sgm Patented Dec. 30, 1947 CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Frederick J. Madely, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Western Precipitation Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 18, 1944, Serial No. 536,203

This invention relates to apparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, and particularly to separators of the centrifugal type commonly known as cyclone separators, wherein a stream of gas is subjected to a vertical motion, whereby suspended material is separated from the gas.

The invention is particularly concerned with centrifugal separating apparatus wherein suspended matter is separated from a stream of gas by passing the gas through one or more vertical tubular separating units, each having a vertical tubular outlet member concentrically'positioned within the upper portion of the separating unit, and al directing vane assembly positioned between the separating unit and the outlet member whereby a whirling motion is imparted to a stream of gas passing through the separating unit. Under the centrifugal force of the whirling motion suspended particles in the gas stream are segregated adjacent the peripheral wall of the separating unit and pass downward to the lower end thereof where they may be removed while the gas stream substantially freed of suspended particles flows Vout through the concentrically positioned outlet tube.

In the operation of cyclone separators of this type, diculties have been encountered arising from the abrasive action of the suspended particles concentrated by centrifugal force at the outer ends of the directing vanes. This abrasive action t frequently results in wearing away the outer ends of the vanes as well as the wall of the unit adjacent and below the outer ends of the vanes, so that the vanes lose their electiveness and creepage around the outer ends of the vanes is permitted which tends to increase and localize the abrasive action so that the wall of the separating unit may be worn through.

A principal purpose of the present invention is to provide a centrifugal separator of the type described wherein abrasive action adjacent and below the ends of the directing vanes is substantially reduced or eliminated.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a centrifugal separator including a directing vane assembly which protects the separator unit from excessive abrasive action.

Another object of the invention is to'provide -an effective and convenient support for the directing vane assembly Within the separating unit.

4 Claims. (Cl. 183-81) These and other purposes of the invention are attained by the apparatus of the invention which comprises a vertical tubular separating unit, a vertical tubular outlet member concentrically positioned within the upper portion of the separating unit, and a directing vane assembly positioned between the separating unit and the outlet member and comprising an outer ring supported by the separating unit, an inner ring, preferably slidable along the outlet member, and helical vanes extending between the inner and outer rings and integral therewith. The outer ring may advantageously extend a substantial distance below the vanes to provide a protective liner for the separating unit in the zone of greatest abrasive action thereon.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation in partial section of a centrifugal separator embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of a separating unit of the separator of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is a plan view of the directing vane assembly of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 3-7 are fragmentary sectional elevations of separating units embodying various modified forms of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, the construction being of the multiple-tube form comprising a plurality of openended tubular separating units I!! of generally circular cross section and small diameter arranged vertically in a housing II having a top header plate I2 to which the separating units are removably secured, the axes of the separating units being substantially perpendicular to the header plate. An outlet I3 at the lower end of the housing provides for removal of the separated material discharged through the open lower ends of the separating units I Il. The inclined side wall of the lower hopper-shaped portion of the housing has an opening normally closed by a removable door I4 affording access to the interior of the housing for removing the separating units for the purpose of cleaning or repair.

rIhe gas with suspended matter is supplied to the separating units through an inlet opening I and a header IS. This header is separated into lower and upper chambers by an inclined partition wall I1 which cuts off communication between the chambers, said chambers constituting common inlet and outlet chambers respectively for the several units Il). The header plate I2 is provided with openings in which the separating units It are removably secured and through which the separating units receive the gas and suspended matter from the inlet chamber formed below the inclined partition I'I'. The gas and suspended matter are whirled, to subject them to centrifugal action, by a suitable directing element I9 disposed adjacent the inlet en'd of each unit IEJ, as shown in Fig; 2, and the suspended matter is separatedv from the gasj. The separated material falls downwardly into' the bottom of the housing I I. The gas is withdrawn by flowing upwardly through outlet members or tubes 2i) extending into the upper ends of the" separating units IB and slidably engaging the directing elements I9. The outlet members 2n are secured to and extend through the inclined partition I'I so as to communicate with the outlet chamber formed above the inclined partition Il, the chamber having an outlet opening 2l through which the gas is discharged.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 2a the directing element I9 comprises an inner ring ZI, and outer ring 22 and helical vanes 23 extending between the two rings and preferably cast integrally with the rings. The-outer ring rests on a shoulder 213 on the inner surface of the separating unit, the inner face ofthe outer ring being substantially flush with the' inner surface of the unit I@ below the shoulder 2'4. The inner ring is dimensioned to slide' along the outer surface of outlet tube ll. The provision of the outer ring 22 effectively prevents creeping of abrasive particles around the outer vedges of the vanes 23 and protects the separating unit le from abrasion and erosion adjacent the vanes.' The method of support makes the removal and replacement of the directing element I9 simple and easy. The unit It may be dropped downV from its position of engagement with header i2 or the outlet tube 2G may be lifted upwardly. In either case, the directing element i9 may be simply lifted out of the separator unit and lequally readily replaced.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the directing element I5 is `supported in part by engagement with the yconicalupper end of separator unit Ill and in part by engagement with the uppermost of liner members ma', isb, which are supported by engagement `of lower liner Iilb` with the conical lower end of unit III. Liners ida, leb provide a downwardly extending continuation of the vprotection against erosion provided by ring i2 of Vthe directing element -a'nd liner 28a extends upwardly from .inner ring 2f.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the outer ring 22 of directing element i9 is extended both' up'- wardly and downwardly from the varies thereby affording protection against 'erosion' of the separating unit both above and b'eflow the vanes, The element is supported upon liner members Ida, leb which are, in turn, supported by the lower conical end of separator unit if?.

In the embodirrientV of 5,.A the outerrigng 222 of element t9 extends downwardly below` lthevanes 23 and the lower edge of the ring 22 rests upon ledge 24 provided by an inward projection of separator unit Ill.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the directing element I9 is supported entirely by the conical upper portion of separator unit IIl. The outer ring 22 of element I9 in this form likewise extends downward to provide additional protection against erosion of the separator element below the vanes 23.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, the outer ring 22 of the directing element I9 extendsI upwardly from the vanes 23` and outwardly tov protect the upper .end of separating unit IIJ and the joint between unit IU and header ,I2 from erosion as well as downwardly to pro- VVteot unit Ill from erosion below the vanes.

In thisforrn" the directing element is supported both by the conicalupper end of unit IB and by header I2.-

It will be' seen from the foregoing description thatIl a wide variation in form and arrangement 'of the elements of the invention is possible without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. Inapparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, a vertical tubular separating unit, a vertical tubular outlet member concentrically positioned within the upper portion of the separating unit, and a directing vane assembly positioned between said separating unit and said outlet member comprising an outer ring supported by said separating unit, an inner ring slidable along said outlet member, and helical varies extending between said inner and outer rings and integral therewith, said outer ring extending a substantial distancebelow said vanes to provide a liner element for said separating unit through the zone of greatest wear thereof.

2. In apparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, a vertical tubular separating unit, a vertical tubular outlet member concentrically positioned within the` upper portionof the separating unit, and a directing vane assembly positioned between said separating unit and said outlet member comprising an outer ring supported by said separating unit, an inner ring slidable along said outlet member, and helical vanes extending between Vsaid inner and outer ringsl and integral therewith,

said outer ring extending a substantial distance above and below said varies to provide a liner elementI for said separating unit through the zone of greatest wear thereof.

`3. In apparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal acti-on, a vertical tubular separating unit, a vertical tubular outlet member concentrically positioned within the upper portion of the separating unit, and a directing vane assembly positioned between said separating unit and said outlet member and slidable along said outlet member and comprising anouter ring supported by said separating unit and .helical vanes extending inwardly from said outer ring and integral therewith, said outer ring extending a substantial distance below said varies to provide a lin-er element for said separating, unit through the zone of greatest wear thereof. y

4. In apparatus for separating suspended matter from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, a vertical tubular separating unit, a vertical tubular outlet memberl concentrically positioned withinthe upper portion of the separating unit, Vand 5 a, directing vane assembly positioned between REFERENCES CITED said separating unit and said outlet member and The following references are of record in the slidable along said outlet member and comprisle of this patent: ing an outer ring supported by said separating unit and helical vanes extending inwardly from '3 UNITED STATES PATENTS said outer ring and integral therewith, said outer N umber Name Date ring extending a substantial distance above and 1,694,784 Kamrath Dec. 11, 1928 below said Vanes to provide a, liner element for 1,931,193 Hawley Oct. 17, 1933 said separating unit through the zone of greatest 1,742,564 Summers Jan. 7, 1930 wear thereof. b 1,906,432 Summers May 2, 1933 1,931,194 Hawley Oct. 17, 1933 FREDERICK J. MADELY. 2,201,301 Richardson May 21, 1940 

